The Queen's Spade

De: Sarah Raughley

Narrado por: Anniwaa Buachie

“You will bow before this queen.” —Sara Raasch, New York Times bestselling author of Night of the Witch

“Revenge and justice have never been so satisfying!” — Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Lunar Chronicles

In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

A young lady can take only so many injuries before humiliation and insult forge a vow of revenge. . . .

The year is 1862 and murderous desires are simmering in England. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally), once a princess of the Egbado Clan, desires one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown and its system of colonial ""humanitarianism,"" which stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. From military men to political leaders, she’s vowed to ruin all who’ve had a hand in her afflictions. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britain’s mighty monarch, Queen Victoria herself.

Taking down the Crown means entering into a twisted game of court politics and manipulating the Queen’s inner circle—even if that means aligning with a dangerous yet alluring crime lord in London’s underworld and exploiting the affections of Queen Victoria’s own son, Prince Albert, as a means to an end. But when Queen Victoria begins to suspect Sally’s true intentions, she plays the only card in Victorian society that could possibly cage Sally once again: marriage. Because if there’s one thing Sally desires more than revenge, it’s her freedom. With time running out and her wedding day looming, Sally’s vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly as she’s faced with the striking revelation that the price for vengeance isn’t just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.

Inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, The Queen’s Spade is a lush and riveting historical thriller for fans of This Ravenous Fate, A Dowry of Blood, and Grave Mercy.

©2025 Sarah Raughley (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

It was a drag

Interesting concept for a backstory but the book seemed to drag on. There were sections and perspectives that could have been shortened or cut entirely from the book.

A historical fiction that felt real

I found this historical fiction very interesting with how it reimages the life of Sara Forbes Bonetta during her time as a ward of Queen Victoria. The story blends elements of thriller and drama, chronicling the struggles of a young girl torn away from everything she knows, forced to adapt to a foreign culture, and subjected to abuse as she is forced to conform to their standards to survive.

The novel delves into Sara’s thoughts and her quest for revenge, and there were moments while reading when I wondered if some of these emotions and actions could have happened in reality. I found myself intrigued by the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction, and at times, it felt as though I were reading an autobiography.

While the story was engaging, I rated this book slightly lower because I found myself easily distracted at times. I will say that this genre is not my usual preference, but I still think it’s a well-crafted and thought-provoking read, and I would recommend it to others.

Additionally, I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook alongside the eARC, and the narrator did an outstanding job bringing the story to life.

A special thank you to NetGalley, the author, and HarperCollins for the ARC copy. My review is entirely voluntary.